Mary Patricia Browning

Mary Patricia Browning, 70, passed away on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at her home in Sioux City after a courageous battle with cancer and was comforted by her son, Jeffrey D. Perera, and her dogs, Honey and Bambi.

A funeral service will be 12:00 pm Thursday, February 17, 2022, at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel, 1801 Morningside Ave., with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.christysmith.com .

Mary was born on May 1, 1951, in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Lyle Martin and Rosemary (Donahue) Martin. She attended schools in Sioux City, Iowa and earned a high school diploma and took some college classes at Western Iowa Tech Community College. Subsequently, Mary worked for MCI, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Hy-Vee, and finally as a secretary for Steve Kohl, a local attorney, until shortly before her death.

Mary first married Donald Perera in 1975. Mary later married Daniel J. Browning on June 7, 1998. She had enjoyed raising and breeding dogs and had a great love for all animals. Mary also enjoyed making crafts with her sister, Terri, socializing with friends and visiting relatives and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary is survived by her sister, Terri (Michael) Harder; her sons, Denis G. Merrill of West Des Moines, Iowa, Michael W. Merrill, and Jeffrey (Jennifer) D. Perera of Sioux City; her grandchildren, Tayler Perera, Rolland Merrill-Alcala, Quentin Perera, Aiden Tank, and Brennan Tank; her nieces and nephews, Angie Collins, Jonathan Martin, Jasmin Martin, M.J. Harder, and Heather (Michael) (Harder) Berger; and six great-grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Lyle Martin and Rosemary (Donahue) Martin; her brothers, Richard Martin and John Martin; her sister, Nomi Martin; and her son, Greg Perera.